![]() ![]() Because she’s grown up in a world where it’s normal and she is accepted. She doesn’t need to say it to define herself instead, she confidently embraces her sexuality. And when asked about who she’s interested in, she just says it. Lunais, the main character, is also bisexual, just like me. Data files and diary entries casually reveal lesbian rulers and polyamorous lovers, and trans characters don’t need to define their identity to anyone. ![]() LGBTQIA+ characters are the norm in Timespinner, and they’re treated no differently from anyone else. But in addition to being a tight and beautiful Metroidvania, Timespinner taught me that it’s okay to define your sexuality on your own terms. I had already been out as bisexual to all of my friends and family for a few years when the game released in 2018, but I always felt a bit uncomfortable with that “label.” I thought being bi had to mean something in particular. I have never felt as validated by a video game as I did while playing Timespinner. Dorian’s arc shows that we all have the chance to grow into who we want to be, and that society can grow and accept people for who they are. ![]() To me, this signifies hope for all individuals who are unsure of their sexual identity or have had negative experiences. Though not everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community reconciles with their estranged loved ones, we see that Dorian finds himself as a person and his family comes to accept their son. Through all this, however, Dorian stays true to himself and chooses to “fight for what’s in heart.” As is too often the case, Dorian isn’t accepted by his family for who he is, and even more tragically, his father attempts to “correct” him. So when I was introduced to Dorian and his story arc, I saw a reflection of real life and the stories I had heard. Because I teach sexual health, people frequently share topics that pertain to the LGBTQIA+ community with me. Though I could have picked the entirety of Dragon Age: Inquisition, the story arc of Dorian Pavus is one that I am drawn to. Ikenfell is a game I played as I was figuring out what being non-binary meant for me, and few things have filled me with as much confidence and joy about acknowledging who I am as the time I spent exploring a mysterious school alongside my diverse crew of friends and classmates. Existing as yourself brings clarity and confidence. The game reminds us that, no matter how difficult the road might be, accepting who you are is a fundamentally happy experience. Ikenfell manages this feat without being insensitive the effort put into respectful representation is front and center in the credits, where three “writing & sensitivity” staff members are featured prominently. It asks, “if we can accept a world with magic and fantastical creatures, why can’t we accept one where anyone can be implicitly accepted for who they are?” With very few missteps, Ikenfell navigates otherwise choppy waters by allowing players to live in a world where the waters simply aren’t choppy. Ikenfell takes the kind of joyful fantasy you’d expect from a story about youths attending a magic school and applies it to gender identity and sexuality. Ikenfell’s cast is filled with people from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, but rather than focusing on that, the game simply allows these characters to exist as part of a story, going beyond representation and well into acceptance. It’s rarer still for a game to do so without making a big deal of it. It’s rare for a game to tackle the gender binary. So, what are some games that you think do an amazing job with representation? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Discord, or however you most enjoy interacting with us! This list of write-ups and the additional games noted below are also in no way exhaustive, and we’d love to hear from you on anything we may have missed! We’ve also listed some other games that we feel have moments of strong representation. It should be noted that while all of these examples have moments that worked for members on staff, we recognize that many of them are imperfect and that other people may take something completely different away from them, and that’s okay. So here at the end of Pride Month, we want to celebrate LGBTQIA+ representation by taking a look at a number of games that resonate with us, either through their characters or narratives. But things are getting better, and there are still some examples from older games that stand out. As many of us know, RPGs have not historically done the best job with representation, particularly for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. ![]()
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